Finding an Internship

The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is one of the best areas in the country to find internship opportunities. Finding an internship that is right for you means going beyond the usual resources of web pages and friends. It means research, preparation, and perseverance. The following steps can help you land a position that is right for you!

Preparing to Find an Internship

It is never too early to start planning for your internship. The total process — from identifying an internship of interest, to applying, interviewing, and accepting a position — can take several weeks, but will likely take several months or more. Many government agencies require six to nine months to process internship applications prior to their start dates. In preparing for your internship and the possible related academic requirements, please follow the instructions below:

Two Semesters Before Your Internship

Practice interviewing skills and attend an Interviewing Class or schedule a mock interview with a career counselor

One Semester Before Your Internship

Attend a Career Services Professionalism Program

Be sure to have all the details for the internship position (written job description, hours, supervisor name, location, pay, etc.).

Report your internship via Handshake. More information on this process can be found on the Reporting and Internship page

Once your internship is approved by your AIM and school, you will be registered for the associated course (XXX 400/490) and credit hours

Resources in Finding Internships

Speak with family, friends, professors, advisors, church members, etc. to find out about internship and job opportunities. Many companies hire the majority of their employees from employee referral programs. If you know someone personally who works for a company you are interested, talk to them now.

Handshake

You may search current listings of available internships using Handshake, the Career Services database. It contains an up-to-date listing of career, internship, and part-time opportunities with local, regional, and national employers. You are highly encouraged to frequently access your Handshake account.

Employers also utilize the database to search for student resumes and to schedule on-campus interviews. It is highly beneficial to upload and publish your resume via the system’s resume books.

Employers have posted positions looking specifically for Marymount University students and alumni. Access the Handshake calendar for announcements regarding special career-related events on campus, recruiters coming on campus, and other job fairs in the local area that may be related to your field of interest.